Any budget travelers tend to look for free things to do in any given cities, especially when it’s in Italy. Thankfully, Naples isn’t that expensive as Rome, Milan or Venice and has a lot of free things indeed! So save your Euros for that sumptuous Italian meals and see as many attractions as you can for free.
1. Wander around the Historic Center
Wandering around Naples’ historic center is one of the favorite activities of the locals as well as the tourists and is 100% free!
2. Stroll though the “Christmas Alley”
The famous Via San Gregorio Armeno is part of the historic center but you need a map to easily find it. This side of Naples is known for making amazing nativity scenes and is a fun place to experience the spirit of Christmas.
3. Visit the Gesù Nuovo Church
Take a peek at this unique church in Piazza del Gesù that was a former 15th century palazzo with an exterior so far from a church’s and an interior filled with ornate Baroque.
4. Cloister of Santa Chiara Monastery
Another gem found in the Piazza del Gesù is the Santa Chiara Monastery which is famous for its whimsical majolica-covered 18th century garden and cloister.
5. Say a prayer in Duomo di San Gennaro
Naple’s main cathedral is composed of two churches being put together – Santa Restituta and Sana Stefania. The first was the oldest church in the city dating back to the 4th century while the duomo surrounding was built in the 12th century. Inside is a chapel where the head and the vials of the blood of Naples’ patron saint, San Gennaro, are found that’s said to be so miraculous that it liquefies twice each year.
6. Explore Castel dell’Ovo
The Egg Castle offers some of its parts for free! It holds the city’s Ethno-Prehistory museum that’s fortunately free to enter on certain days so always check with the Naples tourism office. Don’t forget to have a glimpse of some of the castle’s interior.
7. Drop by the “Doll Hospital”
Take advantage of your time in Naples and visit this no ordinary hospital in the city that’s actually a 4th generation doll repair shop. The Ospedale delle Bambole has a massive amount of doll parts and worth a visit.
8. Explore the Museum of Human Anatomy
Discover what the internal organs of us humans look like in this museum that houses wax replicas of stomachs, kidneys, bladders and a lot more. It even has a section for malformations like a one-eyed head a literal two-faced head, all preserve in alcohol.
9. Tour the Museum of the Sea
Marvel at the historical instruments used to navigate on the ocean and other stuff like maps and atlases.
10. Go to the Museum of Musical History
Check out the antique musical instruments at the music conservatory in San Pietro a Majella. Wander around and see the library of things related to the local composers in Naples.
